Solar Installer Breach & Defecto Cartas de Demanda
Defectuoso solar installations cause roof leaks, electrical hazards, and system underperformance. When contratistas breach their obligations or file improper liens, this playbook helps you document defects, assert garantía claims, and demand remediación or daños.
Incorrect panel orientation, shading not addressed, equipment mismatch
Production 20-40% below specifications, failed ROI
Permit/inspección failures
No permits pulled, failed inspeccións, unpermitted electrical work
Voided warranties, sale complications, forced removal
Incumplimiento de Contrato Claims
System fails to meet specified wattage or production guarantees
Installation not completed by contractual deadline
Equipment differs from contract specifications
Warranties not honored as promised
Change orders or additional charges not authorized
Workmanship Defecto Claims
Installation fails to meet industry standards (NABCEP guidelines)
Work violates National Electric Code (NEC) requirements
Damage to property during installation
Substandard materials used despite contract specifications
Failure to pass required building inspeccións
Safety First: If you suspect electrical defects, arc faults, or fire hazards, contact a licensed electrician immediately. Some solar installation defects create genuine safety risks that require immediate professional assessment.
Legal Framework for Installation Disputes
Contratista Licensing Requirements
State
Required License
Effect of Unlicensed Work
California
C-10 (Electrical) or C-46 (Solar)
Contract is voidable; contratista has no lien rights; criminal multas
Arizona
CR-11 Electrical (Solar endorsement)
Civil multas; no valid mechanics lien; contract voidable
Nevada
C-2G (Photovoltaic)
Void contract; consumer can recover all payments
Florida
EC (Electrical Contratista)
No mechanics lien rights; administrative multas
Texas
Electrical contratista license (varies by city)
Local ordinance violacións; contract enforceability issues
Mechanics Lien Issues
UCC Filings: Financed solar systems often involve UCC-1 financing statements that encumber your property. These are not mechanics liens but create similar complications.
Contratista Liens: If you withhold payment due to defects, the contratista may file a mechanics lien. In most states, substantial defects provide a defense to lien enforcement.
Lien Waivers: Demand unconditional lien waivers before making final payment. Conditional waivers become unconditional only when the check clears.
License Requirements: In California and other states, unlicensed contratistas cannot file valid mechanics liens.
Garantía Claims
Manufacturer warranties: Solar panels typically have 25-year performance warranties and 10-12 year equipment warranties. Inverters usually have 10-25 year warranties.
Installer workmanship garantía: Most contracts include 1-10 year workmanship warranties covering installation defects.
Implied warranties: Even without express warranties, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness apply to construction work.
Garantía transfer: Manufacturer warranties typically transfer to new owners; installer warranties may or may not transfer.
CSLB Remedies (California): The Contratistas State License Board can order restitution, suspend or revoke licenses, and recover from the Contratista's Bond. Filing a CSLB demanda is often more effective than tribunal de reclamaciones menores for amounts up to $15,000.
Lista de Documentación
Documentos del Contrato
Signed installation contract with all exhibits
System specifications: panel wattage, inverter model, kW rating
Production estimates and guarantees
Garantía terms (installer and manufacturer)
Change orders and payment schedule
Financing agreement if applicable
Permit and Inspección Records
Building permits (request from local building department)
Electrical permits and inspección results
Utility interconnection approval
Final inspección sign-off (or failure notices)
Any correction notices from inspectors
Defecto Evidencia
Photographs: Document visible defects, water stains, damaged roofing, exposed wiring, and equipment labels showing model numbers.
Video: Record water leaks during rain, system monitoring data, and inspector comments.
Independent inspección: Hire a licensed solar inspector or electrical engineer to document defects and code violacións.
Production data: Descargar monitoring reports showing actual production versus contract specifications.
Reparación estimates: Get written estimates from other contratistas to fix the defects.
Communication Trail
All emails, texts, and letters with the installer
Service call requests and installer responses
Garantía reclamación submissions and denials
Any promises made to fix issues that were not fulfilled
Tip: Before allowing the installer back on your property for reparaciones, document the current condition thoroughly. Some contratistas "fix" problems by covering them up or making cosmetic reparaciones that fail later.
Letter Strategy
Core Legal Claims
incumplimiento de contrato: System fails to meet specifications, production guarantees, or completion deadlines.
Breach of garantía: Installer refuses to honor workmanship garantía or assist with manufacturer claims.
Negligencia: Installation failed to meet the standard of care for solar contratistas, causing property damage.
Building code violacións: Work fails to comply with NEC, local electrical codes, or building standards.
License law violacións: Work performed by unlicensed personnel or company operating without proper license.
Specific Demandas
Cure defects: Reparación all defects at installer's expense within specified timeframe.
Property damage: Reparación or compensate for roof damage, water intrusion damage, and any consequential losses.
Production shortfall: Compensate for difference between actual and guaranteed production, or upgrade system.
Permit cumplimiento: Complete all required permits and pass final inspeccións.
Lien release: Release any improper liens or UCC filings if payment is disputed due to defects.
Lien Defense Strategy
If the contratista has filed a lien, your carta de demanda should assert that defects constitute a valid offset against the lien amount.
In California, unlicensed contratistas have no lien rights. Verify license status at cslb.ca.gov.
Document that you provided timely notice of defects and opportunity to cure before withholding payment.
Consider recording a notice of completion or cessation to start lien deadline clocks.
Arbitraje Clauses: Many solar contracts require arbitraje. Review your contract carefully. carta de demandas are still valuable for creating a record and may resolve matters without formal proceedings.
Sample Solar Installation Defecto Carta de Demanda
[Date]
Via correo certificado and Email
[Solar Installation Company Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: Demand for Defecto Remediación and Daños
Customer: [Your Name]
Contract Date: [Date]
Installation Address: [Address]
Contract Amount: $[Amount]
Dear Sir or Madam:
I represent [Customer Name] regarding the solar panel system you installed at the above property. This letter demands immediate remediación of installation defects and compensación for resulting daños.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On [Date], my client contracted with your company to install a [X] kW solar panel system consisting of [number] [Brand] panels with a [Brand] inverter. The contract price was $[Amount], with installation to be completed by [Date]. The contract included a [X]-year workmanship garantía and production guarantee of [X] kWh annually.
INSTALLATION DEFECTS
An independent inspección by [Licensed Inspector Name, License #] on [Date] identified the following defects:
1. ROOF PENETRATIONS: Multiple mounting points lack proper flashing and sealant. Water intrusion has occurred during rain events, causing water stains on interior ceiling drywall and potential mold conditions.
2. ELECTRICAL CODE VIOLATIONS: The DC wiring run exceeds NEC 690.31 requirements without proper conduit protection. Ground fault protection testing was not completed per NEC 690.5. The main service panel wiring fails to meet NEC 705.12 requirements for supply-side connections.
3. STRUCTURAL CONCERNS: [Number] mounting points are not attached to rafters and instead rely only on deck sheathing, violating manufacturer installation specifications and creating risk of panel separation.
4. PERMIT VIOLATIONS: Our review of building department records shows that electrical permit #[Number] was never finalized. The installation failed its [Date] inspección for [reason], and no follow-up inspección was scheduled.
5. UNDERPERFORMANCE: System monitoring shows actual production of [X] kWh over the past 12 months, [X]% below the guaranteed [X] kWh. The inverter error logs show [number] ground fault shutdowns.
DAMAGES
These defects have caused and continue to cause the following daños:
- Interior water damage requiring drywall reparación: $[Amount] (estimate attached)
- Mold inspección and potential remediación: $[Amount] (estimate attached)
- Lost energy production value: $[Amount] (based on [X] kWh shortfall at $0.XX/kWh)
- Independent inspección fees: $[Amount]
- Risk of fire from electrical defects: incalculable but significant
LEGAL CLAIMS
Your company's failures constitute:
- Breach of the installation contract and express warranties
- Breach of the implied garantía of workmanship
- Violación of [State] contratista licensing laws (License #[Number] was not properly qualified for electrical work)
- Building and electrical code violacións
- Negligencia causing property damage
Under [State] law, willful contratista violacións may result in license suspension, bond claims, and enhanced daños.
DEMANDAS
Within fourteen (14) days of this letter, [Company Name] must:
1. Provide a detailed written remediación plan addressing all defects identified in the inspección report;
2. Schedule and complete reparaciones within thirty (30) days, to be verified by independent re-inspección at your expense;
3. Complete all required permits and pass final building department inspección;
4. Pay $[Amount] for interior water damage reparaciones and related expenses;
5. Compensate $[Amount] for production shortfall to date, and either upgrade the system or provide ongoing compensación for continued underperformance;
6. Extend the workmanship garantía to [X] years from completion of remediación.
If you fail to respond or refuse to remediate, my client will:
- File a demanda with the [State] Contratistas State License Board seeking restitution and license discipline;
- Pursue a reclamación against your contratista's bond (Bond #[Number]);
- Initiate legal proceedings for incumplimiento de contrato, negligencia, and [State] Protección al Consumidor Act violacións;
- Record a notice of defectuoso construction against any lien claims you may file.
You are on notice that withholding payment for defectuoso work is lawful. Any attempt to file a mechanics lien for disputed amounts will be vigorously contested.
Contacto me at [email/phone] to arrange inspección access and discuss resolution.
Atentamente,
[Abogado Name]
[Firm Name]
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]
Anexos:
- Independent inspección report
- Photograph documentation of defects
- Production data showing shortfall
- Reparación estimates
- Building department permit records
cc: [State] Contratistas State License Board
[Contratista's Bonding Company]
If the installer is defunct, pursue claims against their contratista's bond (typically valid for 4 años after last renewal), file with the CSLB recuperación fund if available, pursue manufacturer garantía claims directly, and check if the installer had responsabilidad seguro that might still cover claims.
Sí, you can generally withhold payment proportional to the cost of correcting defects, but you must provide aviso por escrito of the defects and opportunity to cure. Document everything. The contratista may still file a lien, but your defecto claims provide a valid offset defense.
Servicios de Abogado & Contacto
Solar Installation Defecto Representation
I represent propietarios dealing with defectuoso solar installations, roof damage, electrical hazards, and contratista disputes. Cases with documented defects, independent inspeccións, and significant daños are strong candidates for successful recuperación.
Email owner@terms.law o use Calendly para una sesión estratégica de pago.